Refrigerator display-case



L. e. GRAY. REFRIGERATOR DISPLAY CASE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY I, I918.

Patented Aug. 16, 1921.

2 SHEETSSHEET I.

L. G. GRAY.

REFRIGERATOR DISPLAY CASE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY]. 1918.

1,387,486. Patented Aug. 16,1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- 311 ucnroz NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LEONARD G. ,G-RAY, OF DECATUR, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR 'I'O WALRUS MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF DECATUR, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION ILLINOIS.

REFRIGERATOR DISPLAY-CASE.

Application filed May 1,

' keep cool and protected from dirt, dust and flies.

. My invention has for its object to provide a device which will provide a circulation which will prevent condensation.

Nearly all refrigerator showcases requira,

glass on the front or ends of the case to be in double or triple thicknesses, in order to prevent and retard the conduction of heat and cold.

In devices of this class, with which I am familiar, the glass is usually set in permanently, and in time, the glass becomes murky, and inasmuch as there is no means of gaining access to the space intermediate the different sheets of glass the effect/produced by the display of the contents is greatly lessened.

One of the objects .of my invention is to provide means whereby the double plates of glass, located in the front-of my refrigerator display case, are set in a pivoted frame which unlocks and swings outwardly enough to enable one to clean both plates of glass on both sides.

Another feature of my invention is that by providing tanks for holding cracked ice temperature from th'e'normal atmospheric temperature of the street, down to forty-five degrees, may be obtained."

The tanks are formed of corrugated steel, thus affording a cooling surface of one and three-fourths times the actual dimension of the tank, which enables me to attain the low temperature above mentioned.

By suspending the tanks from the top of the case the cold air is caused to fall and thus-a perfect circulation is attained which prevents condensation.

My means of accomplishing the foregoing objects may be more readily ascertained by Specification of Letters Patent.

, not extend tothe bottom Patented Aug. 16,1921. 1918. Serial No. 231,807.

having reference to the accompanying drawings, which are hereunto annexed and are a part of this specification, in which:

F lgure 1 is an isometric perspective view of my improved refrigerator display case. Fig. 2 shows the means to permit cleaning the glass plates.

Fig! 3 is a fragmentary detail view in perspective showing the interior construction.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the entire description.

As shown in the drawings,'the case 1 is provided with tanks 2,0ne beinglocated in each end of the case. The; case is provided with a heavy glass top 3, and the front is formed of two plates of glass, 4 and 5, the outer one of which is set in aframe 6, which is hlnged or pivoted as at 7, the frame 6, being securelyheld in position by means of locks 8. This frame, which holds the outer plate of glass 5, is constructed to-fit directly.

against a packing formed by a felt strip which is invisible from the exterior of the case, and which will make a tight joint and prevent the cold air from. escaping; the inher glass 4 is rigidly secured to the case wall; the outer plate of glass is movable which affords a convenient means of cleaning the same.

The wooden walls 9, the bottom 10, and the doors of the case are provided preferably with cork insulation although any other desired means employed for this purpose may be used.

The case is mounted upon cast iron legs 11, so as to provide a sanitary base. In the preferred'construction of the doors, they do of the case, but termlnate a short distance above the floor on the inside of the case, thus preventing cold air dropping outwhen the door is opened.

At each end of the case 1, is provided a tank 2,'which, as clearly shown in F'i 3, is formed with corrugated sides whichv greatly increase the cooling surface. The tank 2, is suspended from brackets 13, which are placed directly under the lift doors 14. In practice, I have found it desirable to have the tanks 2, extend within two inches of the top of a metal drawer 15, which is adapted to hold milk or other bottled goods, the

drawers beingprovided with automatic locks.

construction permits the drawer to be withdrawn without the necessity of opening the door while the automatic locking feature e ables a person to openthe drawer with one hand and to close and lock it in the same way. These drawers are concealed from the customers view by shields 21, which are perforated to permit the cold air to circulate.

Between the bottom of the tank 2, and

the top of the drawer 15, IS a pan 18, which is provided to catch any condensation and carry it off through an automaticdrainage outlet 19, which. is provided with a sealed air trap 20, thus preventing the loss of cold air through the drainage outlet.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that when it is necessary or desirable to clean the glasses 4 and 5 in the front of the case 1, the locks 8 are opened and the frame 6-is swung outwardly upon its hinges 7, into the position clearly shown in Fig. 2,-

when access can be easily and quickly obtained to both sides of the glass, so. that it can be kept clean and bright.

Having described my invention what I regard as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a device of the character described,

a portion of the top wall made of glass, a

front wall containing an inner and outer piece of glass, the innerglass of which is fixed, a frame which carries the outer glass,-

hinges which secure said frame to the case, a

plurality of locks to lock said frame in a closed position for the purpose set forth.

3. In a refrigerator display case, having a portion of the topwall made of glass, a

front wall containing an inner and outer piece of glass, of a frame in which the outer plate of glass is mounted, said frame being hingedly secured to the. case, a strip of felt around the edge of said frame, and means to lock said frame tightly against-said packmg.

In testimony whereof, I have signed the foregoing specification.

' w I LEONARD Gr. GRAY. 

